Yoga Poses

Yoga
comprises of some simple and effective body movements, which strengthen
one's back, tones the stomach muscles, and reallocate body weight. These
body movements are known as asanas, or poses. The Asanas have evolved
over centuries and work wonders in keeping the body healthy and the mind
peaceful. If performed in a right manner, these Yoga poses or positions
help to tone muscles, lubricate joints and massage the body. Not only
this, the asanas also enhance body endurance and increase flexibility.
These postures bring physical and mental stability, along with health
and vigor; they exercise the nerves, glands, ligaments, and muscles.

To accomplish each yoga pose, you require willpower, perseverance and
daily practice. There are numberless poses and postures in Yoga. But
before trying and performing any posture, you should keep certain things
in mind.

You should know your body limits. If your body does not allow a
particular Yoga posture, then do not push your body for it.
Otherwise, your may get hurt in the process.

The best thing to do is, learn from an experienced teacher. Or
you can always refer to books learning Yoga poses or Yoga Asanas.
Videos could be of great help.

By daily practicing, you will improve on the poses or positions
of Yoga. It is not something that you will gain in the very first
class.

Every yoga position has its own benefits, sometimes specific
physical and mental benefits. According to your needs, you can
practice a particular Yoga pose.

Before starting a Yoga session, it is important to do some basic
stretches to warm-up and to avoid strain.

Yoga Postures

Sanskrit Name

English Translation

Adho Mukha Svanasana

Downward-Facing Dog

Adho Mukha Vrksasana

Handstand (Downward-Facing Tree)

Ajali Mudra

Salutation Seal

Ardha Chandrasana

Half Moon Posture

Ardha Matsyendrasana

Half Spinal Twist

Baddha Konasana

Bound Angle

Bakasana

Crane Pose

Balasana or Garbhasana

Child's Pose

Bharadvajasana

Bharadvaja's Twist

Bhujangasana

Cobra Pose

Chakrasana

Wheel Posture

Chaturanga Dandasana

Four-Limbed Staff

Dandasana

Staff pose

Dhanurasana

Bow

Eka Pada Rajakapotasana

One-Legged King Pigeon

Garudasana

Eagle Posture

Gomukhasana

Cow Face

Halasana

Plow

Hanumanasana

Monkey (named after Lord Hanuman)

Janusirsasana

Head-to-Knee Forward Bend

Kakasana

Crow Pose

Krauncasana

Heron Posture

Kukkueasana

Cockerel Pose

Kurmasana

Tortoise Pose

Makarasana

Crocodile Posture

Matsyasana

Fish Posture

Matsyendrasana

Lord of the Fishes

Mayurusana

Peacock Pose

Natarajasana

Lord of the Dance

Padahastasana

Standing Forward Bend

Padmasana

Lotus Pose

Paripurnanavasana

Full Boat Posture

Parivrttaparsvakonasana

Revolved Side Angle

Parivrttatrikonasana

Revolved Triangle

Pasasana

Noose

Pascimottanasana

Seated Forward Bend

Prasaritapadottanasana

Intense Spread Leg Stretch

Pavana Mukta-Asana

Wind-releasing Posture

Salabhasana

Locust Posture

Sarvangasana

Shoulder Stand

Shavasana / Mrtasana

Corpse Pose

Sethubandasana

Bridge, Half Wheel

Siddhasana / Muk-tasana /Guptasana

Perfect Pose

Simhasana

Lion Posture

Sirsasana

Head Stand

Sukhasana

Auspicious Pose

Suptabaddhakonasana

Reclining Bound Angle

Suptapadangusthasana

Reclining Big Toe

Suptavirasana

Reclining Hero

Surya-Namaskar

Sun Salutation

Svastikasana

Prosperous Pose

Tadasana / Samasthiti

Mountain Pose

Trikonasana

Triangle

Upavistakonasana

Open Angle

Urdhvadhanurasana

Upward Bow, Backbend, or Wheel

Urdhvamukhasvanasana

Upward-Facing Dog

Usthasana

Camel Pose

Uttanakurmasana

Upside-Down Tortoise

Utkatasana

Chair

Uttanasana

Standing Forward Bend

Utthitahastapadangusthasana

Raised Hand to Big Toe

Utthitaparsvakonasana

Extended Side Angle

Utthitatrikonasana

Extended Triangle Posture

Vasisthasana

Side Plank

Viparitakarani

Legs-up-the-Wall

Vajrasana

Thunderbolt Pose

Virasana

Hero

Vriksha-Asana

Tree Pose

Adho Mukha
Adho Mukha Svanasana is also called Downward Dog or Down Dog posture. The name comes from the Sanskrit words, adho which means downward, mukha which means face, svana which means dog and asana meaning pose.

Ardha Sarvangasana
Yoga is one of the oldest form physical disciplines in existence. There are numerous types of asana that are performed in Yoga, one of them being Ardha Sarvangasana. It is the Queen of all the asans.

Asanas at A glance
Yoga asanas bring wonderful health benefits. They let you feel the power of your body and the importance of keeping it healthy. When done in right way, Yoga is just fun and relaxing. You feel good, feel the blood surging through your veins, and the energy pulsating through your nerves.

Bhujangasana
Bhujangasana is one of the most important Yoga poses. It is also referred to as the 'Cobra Pose'. The asana concentrates on strengthening the back and arms, by stretching the spine.

Dog & Cat
Yoga is an ancient meditation art from India. Practiced since ages in the country, it aims to bring the perfect blend of spiritual intelligence and physical fitness in one's life. The art focuses on bringing one's soul and body together, to give him repose, peace and self-enlightenment.

Janu Shirshasana
The term Janu Shirshasana has been derived from the Sanskrit words 'Janu', meaning 'knee', and 'Shirash', meaning 'head'. As the name suggests, the asana focuses on the two body parts. As you perform Janu Shirshasana,

Savasana
Savasana is the name used to describe the posture that is generally performed at the end of a yoga session. The main aim behind this asana is to provide relaxation to the body after a strenuous session and help it cool down.

Setubandhasana
The term Sethu Bandhasana has been derived from the words 'Sethu', whch means bridge, and 'Bandha', which means lock. It literally means 'constructing a bridge' and mainly comprises of building a sort-of 'bridge' with the body,

Sukhashana
Sukhasana, also termed as the 'easy pose', is one of the simplest postures of yoga. For undertaking this posture, a person is required to sit cross-legged on the floor, in a certain position.

Tadshana
Tadasana, with 'tada' meaning 'mountain', is regarded as one of the most beneficial postures in yoga. Though it seems to be quite simple, a person has to undergo lots of practice to attain the perfect tadasana posture.

Trikonasana
The term Trikonasana has been derived from the words 'trikona', which means triangle, and 'asana', which means posture. In other words, in the asana, your body is stretched in such a way that a triangle-like shape is formed.

Uttanasana
The term Uttanasana has been derived from three words - 'Ut, which means 'intense', 'Tan, which means to stretch and extend, and 'asana', which means posture. In short, it is yoga posture that involves intense stretching of the body muscles.

Virabhadrasana
The word Virabhadrasana is a conjunction of two words Virabhadra and Asana which literally means the posture of a warrior. Virbhadrasana, as the name suggests is very similar to the position that a warrior holds.